Thursday, September 24, 2009

Local fashion + shopping for 9.24-9.30

Check out my writing in this week's edition of Vita.mn, on stands today through Wednesday:

[Ra'mon-Lawrence Spring 2010 collection; Image by Trel Brock]

Minnesotans do New York Fashion WeekNew York Fashion Week wrapped up last Sunday, but not without the help of a growing pool of Minnesota-bred talent. Besides Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman's first official Fashion Week showing, with jewelry by Robyne Robinson and an all-local crew (including this writer as lead stylist), a slew of photographers, models, hairstylists and makeup artists represented the Twin Cities at many other high-profile shows. "I'm officially addicted," said first-time Fashion Week photographer Jennifer Cress, who shot shows by Peter Som, Tory Burch, Tibi and Custo Barcelona. Click here for more.

[Lauren Conrad wearing her Kohl's line; Image provided by Kohl's]

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's launchesLauren Conrad’s collection for Kohl’s has begun to trickle into stores. The collection, Kohl’s second into high-design after Simply Vera by Vera Wang, was co-designed by Kohl’s head designer – and current “Project Runway” contestant - Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman. Click here for more.

BlackBlue opens in St. PaulYet another boutique is open at St. Paul’s Selby & Snelling, making it a veritable shopping district. BlackBlue, an edgy shop carrying men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, quietly opened its doors a couple weeks ago; a grand opening is planned for October. Click here for more.

[Zandra Rhodes; image provided]

Zandra Rhodes previews “The Pearl Fishers”Internationally renowned British costume designer Zandra Rhodes will be in town for a lecture at the Ordway Center. The connection? The style icon recently created costumes for The Minnesota Opera’s “The Pearl Fishers” (opening Saturday), which she’ll preview and discuss during the lecture. The pink-haired designer was one of the first “punk” designers in the ‘70s, known for incorporating exposed seams and safety pins; she later designed gowns for Princess Diana and costumes for Freddie Mercury. Click here for more.

[A look by Blasphemina's Closet; Image by Drayke Larson]

School Girls and MobilesuitsManga drawing workshops, guest lectures by industry experts, and subculture fashions are at the center of this annual anime and manga convention held at MCAD. The internationally recognized three-day event will be student-heavy, no doubt, but for the rest of us, it will provide a rare glimpse into a burgeoning subculture. Guest speakers include C.B. Cebulski, a Marvel Comics writer who now serves as Marvel’s international talent scout. Friday’s Fresh Fruits Fashion Show should be the highlight. Click here for more on the designers.

Rock 'N BowlAs usual, the 4th-annual Rock ‘N Bowl kicks off music-and-film festival Sound Unseen with local bands going head-to-head with their fans. Sign up to play four frames against each band, with the winning team receiving festival passes to the Sound Unseen 10, free beer, concert tickets, free music and more goodies. Click here for more, including the participating bands.

[A look from "Suffocate" by Laura Fulk; Image by Joe Kramm]

The Atlantis Exhibit at Gallery 13Centering around a theme as sprawling as the mythical lost city of Atlantic, it’s apparent that this ambitious multimedia exhibition is just as expansive. Incorporating live video projections, various art and fashion installations (one highlighting past work by conceptual fashion designer Laura Fulk), seven DJs including Bach and The Nightstalker, “live action photography,” art print giveaways. Click here for more.

Every week, Vita.mn has the best in local fashion & shopping news - but especially with this week being MNfashion Week, there's always more that couldn't fit in last week's MNfashion Week guide. Here's a guide to some other things worth checking out this week (originally posted on Vita.mn online):

[Calpurnia Peach screen-printed tights; image provided]

THURSDAY: MNfashion Week: Grand Avenue presents “adorn”When Grand Avenue takes on MNfashion Week, they don’t mess around. Encapsulating nearly every retailer, salon and restaurant on the grand expanse known as Grand Avenue, this fashion crawl showcases the best in local fashion with trunk shows, discounts, samplings and in-store events. Highlights should include your chance to snag a pair of original screen-printed tights by Calpurnia Peach, created live in-store at Picky Girl (only $18 a pair), a 25% off sale at vintage/consignment store My Sister’s Closet, and trunk shows from ROX by Robyne Robinson and kjurek couture at Karma. Take a shopping break and pamper yourself with ten-minute massages, product discounts and more at Grand Avenue’s numerous salon/spas, including Juut and phresh. Visit the Grand Avenue Business Association website for locations and details. (5 p.m. Free. Various locations on Grand Avenue, St. Paul. 651-699-0029.)

THURSDAY: MNfashion Week: Feminine Fair at Mehera Shaw“Footpaths: The Silk Road to Highstreet,” the new fall collection from the Mehera Shaw line, will be on display at designer and owner Shari Keller’s boutique, with models and wine on hand. (7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free with RSVP. Mehera Shaw, 2004 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-874-9115.)

FRIDAY: MNfashion Week: Logan Real, Tour de France 2009 Shoe Launch Party at GoldsteinWhen Miami-based artist Logan Real got wind of the Goldstein’s inclusion of one of his painted shoes had landed in their recent exhibition “Intersections: Where Art Meets Fashion,” he decided there would be no better place in the country to launch his latest project, an exclusive new line of seven painted shoes inspired by each of the stage towns of the 2009 Tour de France. The art-meets-fashion shoes will be on display from Sept. 21-27 and will be auctioned online to benefit GMD and Livestrong. (Opening reception 6:30-8:30 p.m. $35. RSVP at 612-730-6751. Goldstein Museum of Design, 241 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Av., St. Paul.)

FRIDAY: MNfashion Week: Eat Street Style: Rare and Well Done at Head to ToeHead to Eat Street salon and boutique Head to Toe for a fall fashion show including Head to Toe, Lost and Found and Blacklist Vintage, whose show is said to be steampunk-inspired using unconventional models. (8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show. $5. Head to Toe Salon, 2445 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls. 612-871-0303.)

FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Sept 25-26: Bibelot Anniversary SaleIt's locally-owned gift shop Bibelot's 43rd birthday, and they're celebrating with a two-day storewide sale where everything is 20% off at all four Metro locations. Plus, if you spend $100 and receive a $10 gift card for a future purchase. (All metro locations and online.)

[A fall look from Picky Girl; image provided]

SATURDAY: Fashion in the Sky Rooftop Runway ShowConspicuously missing from the MNfashion Week calendar, this event nonetheless provides many an opportunity to check out all that local fashion has to offer. This swanky rooftop fashion show and soiree will include fall looks from St. Paul boutiques Picky Girl, Karma, Stephanie’s, Flirt lingerie, Eco-tique, Shu Global Footwear and Details Style Lab for menswear. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, provided by St. Paul eateries Salut Bar Americain and Barrio, is sure to provide a tasty compliment to the sweet fashions. (7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $35, available via presale only at participating boutiques. Galtier Plaza, 8th floor, 380 Jackson St., St. Paul. 651-698-4107.)

SATURDAY: A Musical Circus at the Ritz TheaterA circus-themed evening of entertainment starring The Parlous Suite, The Idle Hands, The Nighinghales, and Cadillac Kolstad with Cornbread (with Faux Jean playing acoustic in the lobby), this eclectic event also includes Korean Saipuri Dance, Pepper Patriot making music on old school turntables, stilt walkers, fortune tellers, mimes, bearded ladies and more. Prizes will be given for best costumes, so dress up! (6 p.m.-midnight. $10. Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-623-7660.)

[A summer look from Ruby3; Image by Stephanie Colgan]

SATURDAY: MNfashion Week: Liebling Designs, Ruby3 and Third Willow Trunk Show at I Like You!I Like You! jewelry and gift boutique highlights hair accessories by Ruby3 by Anna Lee, jewelry from Liebling Designs, and clutches, handbags and totes by Third Willow. Meet the designers, enjoy refreshments and tour I Like You!'s new space. (2-5 p.m. Free. I Like You!, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls. 612-827-9065.)

SATURDAY: MNfashion Week: Meet the Designer: Shari Keller at Mehera ShawMeet the designer and creative director behind local boutique Mehera Shaw, Shari Keller. The East/West-inspired line will be on display along with refreshments and 30% off all regularly priced garments. (1-4 p.m. Free. Mehera Shaw, 2004 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-874-9115.)

SUNDAY: MNfashion Week: Miyagi Fashion Chop at Miyagi SalonIt seems hard to beat a top-notch haircut at a measly price of $20, but knowing all the proceeds go to charity makes it that much better. The Aveda concept salon based in Northeast was started by a longtime hair stylist, Mo Murphy (and her hubby, musician Chris Strouth), and offers great cuts, color, and spa treatments with an emphasis on great service (which is why they enforce a no tipping policy). (Noon. $20 per cut. Miyagi Salon, 411 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-331-1912.)

SUNDAY: Suede & Celebrity Luxe for LessThis two-part event showcases one-of-a-kind suede and leather designs by emerging designer Dee Balentine via a seated fashion show. Balentine constructs her garments incorporating leather remnants and suede with vibrant colors and unique, edgy silhouettes. Later on, get fashion tips from hair and wardrobe stylist Torih Gillespie, whose passion is to show how to put together looks that are both cheap and chic. (5-7:30 p.m. $10. Blessings Salon, 1451 University Ave., St. Paul.)

[A spring 2009 look by Arwyn Birch; Image by Aaron Ripplinger]

SUNDAY: MNfashion Week: Cliché VIP Salon at ClichéTrue fashion fans make sure they're on the list for this annual VIP fashion presentation at Cliché. Mimosas and breakfast treats, along with a 10% discount on select merchandise, will be offered to guests along with an informal fashion show from Cliché designers, including Arwyn Birch, Amanda Christine, and kjurek couture. (11 a.m. Free w/ RSVP. Cliché, 2403 Lyndale Av., Mpls. 612-870-0420.)

MONDAY: Smart and Chic Launch Party and "Beauty Rehab" Premiere at Circa Art GalleryCelebrate the three year anniversary of Smart & Chic, a bridal hair and make-up shop by hair and make-up expert Julie Swenson which recently expanded to have a national presence. They'll also be hosting the premiere of their first episode of “Beauty Rehab.” Wine, champagne, desserts, music by DJ Brian Zirngible. Encouraged to bring used professional clothing for their partnership with YWCA Women in Transitional Housing. (7-9 p.m. Free. Circa Art Gallery, 210 N. 1st St., Mpls. 612-871-4482.)